PRIME Minister Tony Blair came North last week for a festive visit.

Mr Blair and wife Cherie joined Darlington MP Alan Milburn for the official opening of a Sure Start centre off North Road.

The £1m centre, for parents and children, was already playing an important part in the Darlington community it served, Mr Blair was told when he officially opened the building.

Mr Blair even hinted that he might be making an addition to his family.

"I am delighted to be here and so is Cherie," he said. "It is making her broody having all these babies around - as if having four isn't enough."

The centre, designed to give children aged up to four the best possible start in life includes a Kids & Co nursery.

Mr Blair said: "The time before school, and help for parents are hugely important and, as parents, we know it is the most difficult job you ever do."

Later on Friday Cherie Blair opened a new outreach centre for domestic violence victims in Newton Aycliffe.

The call-in centre will be for victims to drop in and get advice and talk to other victims for mutual support.

In the Sedgefield police division there are about 1,600 reported victims of domestic violence, most of them women, every year. A separate support group for male victims is available through Victim Support in Newton Aycliffe.

Mr Blair attended a Big Conversation event at Ferryhill, where more than 50 constituents wanted to give him some guidance on what ideas he should include in Labour's manifesto for the next General Election.

Later, Mr Blair received a petition signed by 9,000 people calling for safety improvements on the A167 at Newton Aycliffe.